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8 Signs of Trading SuccessOnce you’re a trader, you’ll always be one. Once you have the pure desire and urge to succeed, there is no turning back. And you need to go with your own time line and slowly but surely, you will make it. But there are a few signs you’ll need to consider. It’s all up to you. Let’s start with these inevitable signs. Sign #1: You Have a Passion to Trade Successful traders are driven by an innate passion for the markets. You need to have a desire to understand the intricacies of global economies, price action and the thrill of identifying high probability trades. The wins, the losses. The winning streaks and even the losing streaks. You need to have equal passion and enthusiasm to fuel the time and effort you’ll need to put into learning, practicing, and refining your strategies. Sign #2: You Have a Trading Routine A routine is crucial. Whether it’s in the morning, afternoon or at night. This routine includes regular market analysis, pre-market preparations, and post-market reviews. Pre, during and post. Pre involves doing all the preparations and looking for sexy setups. During, is identifying high probability trades and putting in your trading levels. Post is seeing how your portfolio and trades performed. And you’ll need to foster a systematic approach to trading. Successful traders know the importance of sticking to a routine to avoid hasty, emotional decisions and to stay attuned to market changes. Sign #3. You Are Disciplined In the world of trading, discipline is king. It’s the ability to maintain control, stick to your trading plan. It’s also the state where you avoid impulsive decisions based on fleeting market sentiments. Successful traders know when to enter and exit trades, when to cut losses. They also have the discipline to monitor and make any necessary adjustments. But most important, you need to follow your strategies diligently. Sign #4: You Have a System to Follow A system has a clear set of rules and parameters for entering and exiting trades, managing risks, and securing profits. You then have the ability and vision to fine-tune the system, look for the best markets to follow and navigate the markets confidently and consistently. Your goal is to reduce the role of guesswork and emotion in your decision-making process. Sign #5: You Have a Strong Mind Trading is a mental game. It’s one of my 4 M’s with trading (Markets, Methods, Money and MIND!). A successful trader possesses a resilient mindset that can handle the emotional rollercoaster that trading often brings. They remain calm under pressure, keep their emotions in check. And most important, they are able to stay rational even when faced with losses. Sign #6: You Have Tunnel Vision Think of horses with their blinkers. They can’t see beyond their central vision. They can’t see the sexy horses around them nor the food that surrounds them. So with trading you need to be central focused. You need to learn how to block out ‘noise’ and stay focused on your trading endeavours. Don’t be swayed by others. Don’t be swayed by the news. Don’t be swayed by the hear-say! Remain focused on your plan and what you know works with you. Sign #7: You Have Goals Successful traders set clear, achievable goals. They know what they want to achieve through trading and have a timeline for these goals. They are realistic about their expectations and continually monitor their progress. Based on your track record. You have goals on what your win rate is. You have goals on what no. of winning and losing trades you can expect per year. You have goals as to what your portfolio should potentially grow to each year. Having specific goals keeps them motivated, directs their efforts, and helps gauge whether their strategies are working. Sign #8: You Have Endurance You have to learn to be persistent, and endure the ability to withstand market volatility and periods of losses. You have to understand that downturns are part of the journey. You need to lose to win and how it’s the only way to help your portfolio achieve an overall upward trajectory. Also have the endurance to wait for the right trading opportunities that will present themselves. So if you got these trading signs you have a great chance at WINNING. Here they are again. Sign #1: You Have a Passion to Trade Sign #2: You Have a Trading Routine Sign #3. You Are Disciplined Sign #4: You Have a System to Follow Sign #5: You Have a Strong Mind Sign #6: You Have Tunnel Vision Sign #7: You Have Goals Sign #8: You Have Endurance
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
A Trader’s Checklist: 12 Essential Trading Questions to answerWhatever you trade… A successful trader minimises these risks by asking and answering a series of vital questions. This will help you ensure a clear strategy, an understanding of the market, and a control of emotions. Let’s dive into these questions. Q 1. Has a Trade Lined Up? Identifying a potential trade is the first step. Look for trends, chart patterns, or any other signals that indicate a potential opportunity. Yuu can also use Smart Money Concepts or price action techniques to pinpoint a trading setup. Q 2. Do I Have a Strategy in Place? Every successful trader operates with a strategy. This could be based on technical analysis, fundamental analysis, or a combination of both. This will give you the roadmap to tell you when to enter and exit trades. Q 3. Do I Know Where to Place My Trading Levels? Determine your entry, exit, and stop-loss points. These are crucial levels for you to know with your trading strategy. This will remove the emotions or gut feelings or like I like to say ‘gat’ feelings. Q 4. Do I Know How Much I Need to Put into My Trade? Money management is key. Decide beforehand how much of your capital you’re willing per trade. This is obviously based on what your CURRENT portfolio is rather than what it was. A common rule of thumb is not to risk more than 1-2% of your trading capital. Q 5. Am I Ready to Buy or Sell Now? Before you pull the trigger. You need to be sure you’re ready. Have all the signals from your strategy aligned? Do you see the sign to get in? Then JUST TAKE THE TRADE. Q6. Do I Understand the Underlying Asset? Whether it’s a company’s stock, a commodity, or a cryptocurrency. You need to understand what you’re trading. You need to understand the factors that influence price movements, which can also give you that extra edge. Q 7. Have I Conducted Thorough Technical Analysis? Charts, indicators, patterns, volume or Smart Money Concepts. Technical analysis is a trader’s bread and butter. Make sure you’ve analysed the market technically and your analysis supports the trade. Q 8. Am I Letting Emotions Influence My Decisions? Fear, greed and ego are a trader’s worst enemies. Are you trading based on your mechanical and analytical strategy? Or are emotions driving your decisions? Q 9. Have I Set Realistic Profit Targets? It’s important to have profit targets in place. And they need to be realistic, based on the market conditions and your trading strategy. Remember, each market has their own trading personality so work with it. Q 10. Is This Trade Consistent With My Trading Plan? You need to make sure, your trading setup aligns perfectly with your track record and system data. Each trade should align with your overall trading plan. If it doesn’t, it may be best to pass. Q 11. Am I Overexposed in One Sector or Asset? If the quantity you choose to trade matches your risk management, you’re good to go. If you have a smallish portfolio, you might not be able to trade EVERY market. Some commodities and indices are extremely expensive and too risk when it comes to volume. If you’re overexposed in one area, you could face higher losses. Q 12. Am I Prepared for the Trade to Go Against Me? Even with all the analysis in the world, trades can go wrong. Are you prepared for this, both financially and emotionally? By asking these questions, you will at least be prepared for what is to come. Do you have any more questions you ask before taking a trade?
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
Shape your future with 7 Trading ChoicesAs you traverse the journey of trading. There are a couple of choices you’ll need to make. Not your spouse, not your kids, not your dog, not your neighbour. You… Every day you hold that bit of power that will shape your unique trading path. Remember, every action we take is a conscious choice. Where we say YES to one endeavour automatically entails saying NO to another. If you did economics, you would know it’s called an opportunity cost. Therefore, it is crucial that you need to say YES and make choice with whatever action is necessary to pave your successful future. Let’s go through some of the choices you need to make. Choice #1: Do you just take the trade? To Trade or Not to Trade, I call this the Hamlet Dilemma When the market lines up a juicy trade, you put your levels in and quantify your position. All that’s left is for you to press the button. If you’re hesitant, I want you to ask ONE thing. Is it a high probability trade or low? If it’s high. Count down 1, 2, 3. Just take the trade. Choice #2: The pick of the trading pops Go to a candy store, there are so many options of amazing candies. But you can’t take them all. You can’t taste them all either. You have to choose. Same with the markets. Thousands to choose from – which one do you pick? Here’s an idea. Choose a day in the week to trade a certain market. Monday stocks, Tuesday indices, Wednesday Forex, Thursday stocks. I don’t know. But condense the work and the watchlists and the markets so they’re BITE size to take and trade each week. Choice #3: Taming the Clock Time waits for no trader. Are you a day trader, where you want to open and close a trade within a day? Are you a swing trader swing trader where you catch and hold waves of market momentum over several days or weeks? Are you BOTH? Your lifestyle, trading experience, and market analysis skills can guide this decision. Tick-tock choose who you are on the clock! Choice #4: Techie or Traditionalist: Trading Platforms When you choose a trading and charting platform, it’s basically choosing a portion of your personality. It needs to suit your lifestyle and personality. You need to choose what colour backgrounds, indicators and chart layout you wish. You must want to enjoy what you see in the charts. You must find that they’re easy to work with and exactly what you need to trade with. Improve your trading skills, chart setups and become a savvy platform trader. Choice #5: Risk It All or Play It Safe: Money Management It’s the eternal trader’s tug-of-war. You get into a trade with the idea that you can lose money, or make money. And the sweet spot is what you need to decide what is best for your portfolio. Easy… Never risk more than 2% per trade. Never risk any money you can’t afford to lose. Play your trading safe in a way that you can preserve and protect your portfolio over the long haul. Choice #6: Trust gut or trust charts The big one is, what choice do you make when you decide to trade. Do you trust your gut or dive deep into data? While intuition can sometimes lead to lucky profitable outcomes. It’s not going to happen every time. It’s going to resemble gambling more than trading. And when you hit that losing streak and don’t have a solid trading system to trust and work on, it’s game over before you know it. The market doesn’t work on emotions. The market works on analytics, numbers, volume, demand and supply. So be like the market and you’ll stand a chance. Choice #7: Buy and Hold or Buy and Fold This one is the hardest choice of all. When you get into your trade. And it goes in your favour. Do you lock in profits by closing your trade, as you think it’s going to turn from here? Or do you adjust your stop loss, to protect your portfolio from taking any loss. Or do you just let your trade run according to your trading back-tested stats? Choice is yours. This also requires HIGH experience in trading. Because I still have to decide on these three choices every day when I’m in trades. Obviously, there are many other choices you need to make. But just remember. Everything you do is solely what you choose to drive you to the path of what you desire.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
How to Adapt to the Ever-Evolving Financial Markets – 4 WaysThe only constant with the financial markets is… Change The market is constantly changing in a way that it’s brining: New demand New supply New volume and fresh changes in the complex algorithms. If you want to thrive you need to learn to learn to adapt, evolve and grow with the markets. I want to cover four elements to today’s topic. The Inevitability of Market Change Change is not only constant but inevitable in financial markets. There will always be new elements streaming into the markets from: ~ Global and political events ~ Micro and macro aspects ~ Economic indicators ~ Regulatory shifts, and ~ Investor sentiment These elements are perpetually at work, shaping and reshaping the market. These catalysts can shift the trajectory of entire sectors, leading to volatile market movements. Influx of New Volume on Market Dynamics Every day, the market sees a deluge of new volume. There are new traders and investors constantly joining the financial markets world. And we are seeing an inflow of capital from retail traders, institutional investors, and high-frequency trading firms. The big institutions like Smart Money (banks, hedge funds, brokers etc…) are causing the big volatile moves in the market. The smaller guys – dumb money and retail traders – are also helping with liquidity in the markets. Every transaction is causing a shift in the market. No matter how small it’s the “Butterfly Effect of the financial market”. The Role of Algorithms in Market Evolution In the era of digital transformation, algorithms have become a pivotal part of the financial markets. Algorithmic trading or ‘algo-trading’ employs complex mathematical models to execute trades at lightning speed and frequency. I’m talking about Copy Trader, Robinhood, AI trading bots, EA Expert Advisors and pre-determined automatic mechanical trading methods. This practice is now an integral part of the trading landscape. And they will continue to have an influence in price action, and market patterns. Haven’t you noticed? In the 50s through to the early 2000’s. The markets trended on a more consistent basis. Any monkey could choose a list of good stocks and hold them until they were up 200% – 1000%. But nowadays with derivatives, algorithms, shorts and automatic execution – markets have never been more volatile and more difficult to ride the trends. Always Adapt to Thrive in Changing Markets It’s our job to learn to be more flexible and to adapt to these market conditions. As markets evolve, so must we evolve with them. We need to always: ~ Apply new markets to our watchlists ~ Look for better trading instruments ~ Change the trading strategy to make it more conducive with the environments ~ Always look for the next best broker, trading and charting platform ~ Look for ways to reduce costs and maximise profits. I’ll end off with this. The market is constantly changing, adapting and evolving. We need to embrace the change and not see it as a threat. Have this mentality and you’ll always have the opportunities to improve, anticipate and grow as a trader.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
5 Stupid Trading Advice PointsA staggering 98% of traders inevitably stumble and tumble into the abyss of financial loss. Why such a high failure rate, you ask? It’s because failed traders try to preach their failures (as they think that’s how it is). They develop these narcissistic methods, where they misguide others and are too blinded by their own failures. Few years later, they’re back in their parents basements playing games or working at Mc Donald’s. I want to share and explore five such stupid advice points that can send even the most promising trading careers down a spiral of regret and loss. Go big or go home – a fool’s motto for financial Russian roulette. In the world of high stakes and adrenaline rush, the mantra ‘Go big or go home’ might sound like a call to glory. It might sound like a quick way to riches. However, when you say this. You’re destined for a financial land mine eventually. Going ‘big’ in trading terms typically means putting a large chunk of your capital into one or a few trades. And yes, it might very well pay off in the short term. It may pay handsomely. But for how long until you blow your entire account? Smart trading advocates a balanced approach, including diversified portfolios and proper risk management techniques. It’s more about ‘Go steady and stay in the game’ than ‘Go big or go home’. The next trade will be better – as reliable as a fortune cookie’s prophecy. This is another common trap. They just took a loss and now they feel, the next trade will be a winner. Nope! This is a dangerous mindset which will lead you to ‘revenge trading.’ Trading is not a series of independent events. Your next trade is not guaranteed to be better simply because you lost the previous one. And we can NEVER predict with certainty which trade will win. You need to approach each trade objectively. Don’t let past performances cloud your judgment. Don’t let a false and fabricated future bring on trading destruction. Learn from past mistakes, certainly, but don’t bank on the next trade as a panacea for all previous losses. Follow your heart – Your heart pumps. Your brain thinks. Stop relying on emotions and gut feelings in a robotic, cold and ruthless market. Emotions can amplify the impact of market volatility. Emotions can make you overreact to market swings. Emotions can make you stick with losing trades for too long. Emotions can cut your profits far too soon. And you can blame evolution. Instinct often plays a role in decision-making. And you need to remember that… Successful trading absolutely needs a systematic, disciplined approach based on logic and solid analysis. Everything happens for a reason – the financial equivalent of seeing faces in clouds. OK this might comfort you in some esoteric aspects of your life. But you need to get rid of this notion with the markets. The financial market is complex and influenced by numerous variables (that have nothing to do with you). Get off your high horse and believe everything revolves around you! Not every price movement has a logical or predictable reason behind it. Instead, you should focus on understanding broader market trends, develop solid trading strategies, and manage your risk effectively. With logic, with discipline, with mathematics, with statistics – NOT WITH ESOTERIC REASONS! Work harder and you’ll win more – because nothing says ‘smart trading’ like turning a strategic marathon into a frenzied sprint. While hard work is essential with business and with most areas of your life. Trading is a game where quality trumps quantity. The ‘work harder and you’ll win more’ advice often leads traders to overtrade, mistakenly believing that a higher frequency of trades equates to higher returns. In trading, it’s more important to work smarter, not harder. In trading it’s more important to think quality, not quantity. In trading it’s more important to think high probability than any probability. It’s about making well-informed trades, not just more trades. So let’s sum up the stupid trading advice points you need to watch out for. Go big or go home – a fool’s motto for financial Russian roulette. The next trade will be better – as reliable as a fortune cookie’s prophecy. Follow your heart – Everything happens for a reason – the financial equivalent of seeing faces in clouds. Work harder and you’ll win more – because nothing says ‘smart trading’ like turning a strategic marathon into a frenzied sprint. If you can think of any more, let me know in the comments.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
Become a Trading Machine - 11 ways!If you want to trade well and consistently. You have to be more mechanically orientated. The weekend is about to begin so I'll be literally quick and brief. Saying "literally" was unnecessary and made it longer. Sorry. Here are the pointers: 1. Stay committed 2. Cultivate patience 3. Avoid herd mentality 4. Be long-term oriented 5. Stop crying over losers 6. Review your performance 7. Stop celebrating winners 8. Adapt to market conditions 9. Keep your emotions in check 10. Don't think of quick success 11. Adapt and advance with technology
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
Why Penny Stocks is a Trader's NightmareLet me start off and say. Penny Stocks have a lucrative and solid place for investors who buy and sell shares. But not just any investors. Well informed, researched, savvy and highly understand fundamentals. Penny stocks for a trader though – Ah no! Those shiny little nuggets of the stock market that promise vast riches for a small investment, can often turn into a trader’s worst nightmare. Here’s why… Reason #1: The Roller Coaster Ride: High Volatility Penny stocks are notorious for their high volatility. One day they can skyrocket and plummet the next. These stocks are like riding a financial roller coaster without a safety harness. No matter where you put your stop loss, it can trigger within a second. And this extreme price fluctuation, can be dangerous for traders. The unpredictable nature, can lead to rapid and substantial losses. Reason #2: Stuck in Quicksand: Low Liquidity Volume is another caveat. Liquidity refers to the ability to quickly buy or sell (flow in and out) of a stock without significantly impacting its price. Penny stocks often lack this characteristic. Some penny stocks volume is SO low, that it can take months or even years to move in price. This means, once you’re in, you might find yourself unable to exit your position. Instead of flowing in and out of a trade (like a blue chip), you’re stuck in quicksand. Quite the oxymoron! Without a healthy volume of trades, penny stocks can become a trap, a nightmare for any trader. Reason #3: Walking a Tightrope: High Chance of Bankruptcy and Liquidations Investing in penny stocks is akin to walking a financial tightrope. These companies are often at a higher risk of bankruptcy and liquidation. This is because of their lower levels of regulation, credibility and inherent instability. And the issue with a less regulated penny stock company, is that it allows for less transparency. This makes it difficult for investors to drill into the true company’s health. The high risk of bankruptcy further amplifies the nightmare. Reason #4: Battling with Giants: Lacking the Strength of Blue-Chip Companies Penny stock companies are typically not well-established businesses. They lack the strength, stability, and track record of blue-chip companies. And without you doing the right research, it can leave them susceptible to market fluctuations and economic downturns. Investing in these companies can feel like bringing a pebble to a boulder fight. You’ll struggle to hold your ground amidst giants. Reason #5: The Race to Zero: The High Failure Rate of Penny Stocks It’s an unfortunate reality. Most penny stocks are more likely to crash and burn than to soar. Because of their weaker fundamentals and instability, they are more likely to head to zero – than a blue-chip company. So let’s sum up the reasons why penny stocks is a traders nightmare: Reason #1: The Roller Coaster Ride: High Volatility Reason #2: Stuck in Quicksand: Low Liquidity Reason #3: Walking a Tightrope: High Chance of Bankruptcy and Liquidations Reason #4: Battling with Giants: Lacking the Strength of Blue Chip Companies Reason #5: The Race to Zero: The High Failure Rate of Penny Stocks If you’re a savvy investor or you have someone great to follow, go for it. But I’ve warned you about the dangers for a trader.
TVC:RUTEducation
by Timonrosso
GLOSSARY Smart Money Concepts – Complete Terms!It’s taking the world by a storm. Smart Money Concepts is what has become famous lately. Now I’ve been trading for 20 years and even I have learnt to adapt and adjust SMC to my trading strategy. I guess we have to evolve and adapt with what there is. Anyways, today I’ve written a complete Glossary on Smart Money Concepts terms for you. Enjoy! SMART MONEY CONCEPTS GLOSSARY Break Of Structure (BOS) (CONTINUATION) A BOS is when the price breaks above or below, and continues in the direction of the trend. (CONTINUATION). Break Of Structure Down When the price breaks and closes BELOW the wick of the previous LOW in a DOWNTREND. Break Of Structure Up When the price breaks and closes ABOVE the wick of the previous HIGH in an UPTREND. Buy Side Liquidity (Smart Money SELLS) Where an Order Block forms where Smart Money SELLS into retailers (dumb money) BUYING orders – Pushing the price DOWN. Change of Character (CHoCH) (REVERSAL) Refers to a much larger shift in the underlying market trend, dynamic or sentiment. This is where the price moves to the point where there is a change in the overall trend. (REVERSAL) Change of Character Down When the price breaks and closes below the previous uptrend. Change of Character Up When the price breaks and closes above the previous downtrend. Daily bias Tells us which direction, trend and environment the market is in and what we are looking to trade. Daily bias Bearish When the market environment is DOWN and the trend is DOWN – we look for shorts (sells) in the market. Daily bias Bullish When the market environment is UP and the trend is UP – we look for long positions (buys) in the market. Discount market <50% The market is at a discount when the price trades BELOW the equilibrium level. We say the price is at a discount (low price). Equilibrium Equilibrium is a state of the market where the demand and supply are in balance with the price. We say the price of the market is at fair value. Fair Value Gap (FVG) A 3 candle structure with an up or down impulse candle that indicates and creates an imbalance or an inefficiency in the market. Fair Value Gap Bearish A 3 candle structure with a DOWN impulse candle that indicates and creates an imbalance or an inefficiency in the market. Between candle 1 and 3, do NOT show common prices. The price needs to move back up to rebalance and fill the gap. Fair Value Gap Bullish A 3 candle structure with an UP impulse candle that indicates and creates an imbalance or an inefficiency in the market. Between candle 1 and 3, do NOT show common prices. The price needs to come back down to rebalance and fill the gap. Levels of liquidity The area of prices where smart money players, identify and choose to BUY or SELL large quantities. E.g. Supports, resistances, highs, lows, key levels, trend lines, volume, indicators, psychological levels. Liquidity The degree, rate and ability for an asset or security to be easily bought (flow in) or sold (flow out) in the market at a specific price. Liquidity sweep (Liquidity grab) Smart money buys or sells (and sweeps or grabs liquidity) from traders who enter, exit or get stopped. Market down structure When the price makes lower lows and lower highs. Market structure Indicates what a market is doing, which direction it’s in and where it is more likely to go. Market Structure Shift (MSS) MSS shows you when the price is breaking a structure or changing the direction in the market. Market up structure When the price makes higher lows and higher highs. Order block Large market orders (big block of orders) where smart money buys or sells from different levels of liquidity. Order Block Bearish A strong selling or a supply zone for smart money. Order Block Bullish A strong buying or a demand zone for smart money. Order block events Large market orders where smart money buys or sells from certain events i.e. High volume, supports, resistances, highs, lows, key levels, Break Of Structure, Change of Character, News or economic event. Point Of Interest (POI) POI is an area or level in the market where there is expected to be a large amount of buying or selling activity i.e. Order blocks. Premium market >50% The market is at a premium when the price trades ABOVE the equilibrium level. We say the price is at a premium (high price). Sell Side Liquidity (Smart Money BUYS) Where an Order Block forms where the Smart Money BUYS into the retail (dumb money traders orders – Pushing the price UP. Smart Money These are the smart, informed, and savvy financial institutions that invest (buy and sell) their large capital into different financial markets. Smart Money Concepts SMC is a more sophisticated method of price action to spot, identify and locate where smart money is buying and selling their positions Sweep Buy Side Liquidity (Smart Money SELLS) Smart Money SELLS into positions (and sweeps liquidity) from retail traders who are short (get stopped) and for long traders who buy and enter their trades. Sweep Sell Side Liquidity (Smart Money BUYS) Smart Money BUYS into positions (and sweeps liquidity) from traders who are long (get stopped) and for short traders who enter their trades. Feel free to print this out and have it as a guide to your Smart Money Concepts trading journey. All the best!
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TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
101
Why Do So Many Successful Traders Gym?Have you noticed? That most successful traders, engage in some type of regular physical exercise. And on their social channels they are either talking on the treadmill or they’re talking about their supplements they’re taking before they hit the gym. And it makes you wonder. Is gymming a prerequisite to trade well and successfully? I mean, do we have to gym to trade well? Unfortunately, I do gym on a regular basis and do cardio many times a week. But no. I don’t think I’ll attribute it to my trading success. However, I think there are many merits to gymming well and trading well. And it all starts with… #1: Discipline – You Put in the Work Training in the gym is about discipline, perseverance, and gradual improvement. It’s about building strength, endurance, and resilience. These are definitely all qualities required in a successful trader. Traders, like athletes, understand that to achieve success, you must put in the work. There are no shortcuts. If you have the discipline to gym (not every day) every week, you will have what it takes to persevere as a trader. If you’re a quitter and a give upper or a I’ll do it next Monday type a guy or gal, then trading probably won’t work for you. The financial market doesn’t grant success to the lucky, but rather to the diligent and well-prepared. #2. Pick up the Portfolio (Weights) as You Make More In the same way that you wouldn’t expect to build muscle or increase your stamina overnight in the gym, you shouldn’t expect immediate trading success. And in the same way you don’t just lift heavier weights after a short period in the gym, so to where you mustn’t trade more (with a small portfolio size). Let’s dig deeper. In the gym, you start lifting weights that match your strength level. As you grow stronger, you gradually increase the weight to keep challenging your muscles. And this leads you to further growth and strength. This same principle applies to trading. Beginners should start with a smaller, manageable portfolio that matches their level of knowledge, understanding and personality with the markets. As their knowledge, skill, and confidence grow, they can start diversifying and increasing their portfolio. They won’t risk more (relative) per trade, but they will deposit more money into their portfolios. They’ll trade larger volumes. But like I said, they won’t risk more in percentage terms. Remember, it’s essential to increase the portfolio wisely, without skipping steps, just like in weight training. Patience and progressive overload are key in both fields. #3: Don’t Overtrain – Don’t Overtrade If you overtrain in the gym – watch out. It can lead to injuries, burnout, demotivation (is that a word?) and diminished returns. Same works with overtrading. It can lead to financial losses, emotional stress and a big punch to your confidence levels. You need to know the importance of balance and recovery – like you do as a trainer. You need to understand how to pace yourself the right way, and to: NOT take trades for the sake of it. NOT try to accelerate your portfolio performance. NOT be impatient with the process Got it? #4: It’s a Forever Process Fitness, strength, physical activity and maintaining your sexy figure is a lifelong endeavour. You can’t just build muscle and then stop working out, expecting to stay fit forever. You can’t just go on the treadmill once and lose those 20kg you packed on 10 years ago. Same with trading. You can’t just make a few successful trades and then rest on your laurels. The markets are always changing, and traders need to keep learning and adapting their strategies to stay ahead. This requires continuity Trading requires perseverance Trading requires repetition Continuous education Ongoing testing, tweaking and monitoring And while we’re at it, gymming can help with your trading I mean, I’m no doctor, but there are also very good mental benefits of regular exercise, such as: Improved concentration Better mood Stress reduction Help maintain the psychological equilibrium needed for long-term trading success Also, it gets you to step away from the computer and screen after you’ve taken a trade. It allows you to realign and escape from the real world and into your mind and creative self. Even though you don’t necessarily need to gym to be a successful trader. The parallels between gym training and trading are substantial. The discipline, resilience, patience, and commitment to continual learning that the gym fosters translate directly into trading habits. Do you gym or do any physical exercises?
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
WHY you don't JUST Take The TradeIn the frenzied world of financial trading. It gets to a stage eventually where we will hesitate to take the trade. Even though you have the plan, strategy and mindset to a T. Something could trigger you to not take the trade. So why does this happen? There are a multitude of reasons, but here are four reasons you might not take the trade. Reason #1: Market Moved Too Much Even I miss the mark sometimes. Either I get distracted by writing something for you. Either I wake up late past 10 am. Either I am flying or at the beach. And then… The market moves too much and I miss the trade. This is life and this can catch us off guard. There is no excuse in the bigger scheme of things because the market will move with or without you. Just like time waits for no man. Neither does the market. We need to be more disciplined, more determined and should be like a sniper when it comes to trading the markets. Reason #2: You’re Scared to Lose This one applies to three types of traders. Either you’re new to the market and don’t want to lose money. Or you’ve been in the market and you just can’t programme your mind to lose money. Or you have already lost money and you have an even bigger fear of losing even more money. Trading, by its very nature, involves risks. But sometimes, the fear of potential losses can overwhelm us, leading to indecision and missed opportunities. Emotional trading is a surefire way to erratic decision-making and inconsistent results. So if you’re scared to lose, risk less. If you’re scared to lose, paper trade until you feel more confident. If you’re scared to lose, work on risk psychology through journals and reading. Or just reading an article like this. It may help you. Reason #3: Too Much Money to Spend Some markets are expensive! If you’re new to trading and you try to trade a world index or a futures contract like Brent Crude – brace yourself. It might spook you away from trading because it’s too much to spend. But then there are markets that aren’t expensive to trade like Forex, local and some international stocks. Stick to those and lower your risk to 1.5% or even 1% risk per trade. Balancing risk and reward is a delicate art in trading. Reason #4: No Trust Yet in the System Confidence is not easy to gain with trading strategies. I never believed in my system for years. Why? Because I thought the past results truly meant nothing for the future performance of the markets. Then as trading became more logical and as I saw that financial markets is nothing more than psychology and demand and supply, the confidence in the system went up. People will be people. Before plunging into trades, it’s beneficial to familiarise yourself with the strategy and make sure you backtest them and study them like a trading engineer and statistician. Your confidence will grow and eventually you’ll get to the point where you will. JUST TAKE THE TRADE.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
What if your trading position is halted? What happens if your trading position is halted? There are a few possible outcomes for this scenario. First, when a stock is halted – this means trading that market will be suspended. You will not be able to open, adjust or close your position during that time. The best-case scenario is when the position will just be removed from your account and you will lose whatever the margin (deposit) you put into the trade. The worst-case scenario is, if the market resumes trading but the share price drops over 99%, the next day. Either, the company will release news that it’s currently undergoing facing financial difficulties or fraud. Or it has failed to meet the regulatory requirements. This can result in the stock heading to zero and being delisted from the main index. That’s why it’s important to only look to trade markets that are quality blue-chips, highly credible stocks with a great track record. This way you’ll have a much higher chance at picking stocks that are NOT susceptible to heading to zero. But to be safe, you’ll need to get more accurate information about the specific procedures and outcomes of your trade. It's crucial to consult your trading platform, CFD provider, or your broker directly. They will give you more details about what happened to the stock, the market regulations, and the specific terms and conditions that apply to your situation. If you have any more questions I'll be happy to help where I can. Comment your question below.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
3
10 Black Swan Events that shook the marketsBlack Swans are highly unpredictable events that go beyond what is usually expected of a situation. One definition I like is this. A Black Swan is where an event can cause the market to move 10 standard deviations away from the norm. When this happens they could potentially have severe and wide-reaching consequences. You’ll see the market will jump erratically and even cause a halt in trading activity completely. So when you spot a Black Swan. Just take it easy from trading the markets that can be affected. Here are 10 Black Swan Events that I can think of that had an impact on the markets. 2008 Global Financial Crisis Triggered by the collapse of the US housing market, it led to a worldwide banking crisis and severe global economic downturn. COVID-19 Pandemic An unprecedented global health crisis that had significant repercussions on global economies and markets in 2020. Dotcom Bubble Burst (2000) The dramatic rise (due to greed and optimism) and fall (due to fear and panic) of internet companies in the late 1990s led to a severe market correction. Brexit (2016) Britain’s unexpected decision to leave the EU had immediate impacts on global markets. Japanese Asset Price Bubble Burst (1992) This led to a lost decade of economic stagnation in Japan. (Have you seen the Nikkei! And can you imagine holding stocks from 1992?) Swiss Franc Unpegging (2015) The Swiss National Bank’s sudden decision to remove the cap on the Franc’s value against the Euro led to extreme currency volatility. (Forex trading was a nightmare seeing some prices drop hundreds of pips). September 11 Attacks (2001) The terrorist attacks had immediate and long-term effects on global economies and markets. (I was too young to worry so I missed this one.) Fukushima Nuclear Disaster (2011) Triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami, it had significant impacts on global energy markets. (I remember holding oil stocks while driving. And I came home to R120,000 loss). Flash Crash (2010) The US stock market crash, triggered by a high-frequency trading algorithm, sent a financial shockwave around the world. (Fat fingers caused by unknown factors). Oil Price Negative (2020) For the first time in history, the price of US oil turned negative due to low demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Which Black Swan event affected you the most? Let me know in the comments?
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
2
DID YOU KNOW? Trading has never been more...What was a realm for Wall Street titans and for the affluent investors… In the last couple of years, it has knocked its walls, and has broken the financial chains. Today, it’s at the hand to the everyday individual, regardless of their financial background. Just to put it into perspective. In 2003 until like 2007, trading was very limited. I had a very old-fashioned trading software which updated once a day. I only had shares to trade. And then as the years progressed, I was paying R17,000 a year to have a software that updated every 15 minutes. The struggle was REAL! But today, is a different story. You are in the best times every to trade. It’s the cheapest it’s ever been. It has more markets, instruments, options and features at your fingertips. And you can even start with your charting, preparation and work on your trading track record – essentially for FREE. So, if you’re not in the trading game yet – WHY NOT? And that’s just the start of it. DID YOU KNOW? Trading has never been more… #1: Affordable Trading, as we know it, has undergone significant transformations in the past decade. It is now more affordable than ever before. A combination of technological advancements, regulatory changes, and the evolution of trading platforms has significantly reduced the financial barriers to entry. Just look at TradingView? Many brokerages are in such high competition that they have had no choice but to: Cut brokerages Make minimal spreads for trade Remove the yearly platform fee Some even have a zero-commission trading platform The only expensive thing, with some brokers, is that you might need to have a minimum account size. But the money is yours. It stays in your account. And you might even earn interest just by keeping it there. It’s amazing. #2: Easier to Learn With the proliferation of online learning resources on YouTube, TikTok, websites - you can master the art of trading – FREE. Even most reputable brokers now offer comprehensive trading education, to help you on the way to trading their platforms. And many brokerages offer demo accounts where beginners can practice trading with virtual (paper) money. This way they can gain hands-on experience without the risk of losing any real money. #3: Accessible Trading has never been more accessible. Gone are the days when trading meant being physically present on the exchange floor or having to call your broker to place a trade. In today’s digital age, you can trade on your smart phone tablet or computer. Also, with the high competition – most great brokers offer their own customised trading apps and online platforms. And the variety is crazy. Whether you want to trade CFDs, Spread Betting, Futures, Options, Lots, or other instruments – the world is your trading oyster. Just go to TradingView and you’ll see hundreds of thousands of markets to choose from. (Stocks, indices, commodities, Forex, Crypto, ETFs, Bonds, Economic indicators and Funds). #4: Hospitable With brokers and market makers with their obligatory regulatory frameworks and criteria, around the globe, they are constantly pushing for more transparency and fairness in financial markets. They are also pushing for more educational sources. They are improving with HR and pristine customer services features. The odds are no longer heavily stacked in favour of institutional players. Such features help retail traders make informed decisions, level the playing field and make the trading world a more welcoming place for newcomers. So, we can see trading is becoming more affordable, easier to learn, accessible, and hospitable. And they will continue to do so and improve, which is why you have got to take the leap and harness what is available. As I mentioned earlier. Today the world is your trading oyster – Go fishing!
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
6 Rules of Successful Trading Once you become a trader. Once you think about trading every day. Once you have set your mind, soul, and heart into trading. There is no going back. You’ve reached the point of no return! And it’s thrilling and exhilarating once you’ve mastered this element to your life. So you might as well harness the true nature of what it takes to be successful. Here are 6 key rules every successful trader lives by. Always have a trading plan One hallmark of a successful trader is an effective trading plan. This is a self-journey and only you can endure it through different endeavours. Your trading plan acts as a roadmap and your game-plan, to guide you to your daily trading activities to help you make informed decisions. This plan should detail your system, risk and reward management along with your financial goals, risk tolerance, criteria for entering and exiting trades, and strategies for managing your trades. Every trade you execute should align with the objectives outlined in your plan. Also, evolve and adapt to your plan along with the ever evolving market world. Don’t procrastinate In the world of trading, timing and persistence is everything. Successful traders understand the im portance of making swift, decisive moves when the right opportunities arise. Procrastination, on the other hand, can lead to missed opportunities laziness and potential losses. So, get up, make your coffee and get to it. Also, remember to always keep a close eye on market trends, economic indicators, and relevant news events. This proactive approach will ensure you’re well-prepared to act promptly when your defined trading criteria are met. Remember, the market won’t wait for you, so you must be ready to seize opportunities when they present themselves. Be patient While it’s essential to act decisively. It’s also our goal to just….. WAIT. Be patient and only strike when you see that golden opportunity present itself. Sometimes, the best action is inaction. Sometimes, you have to just wait it out and stay out. Neutral is also a position. And you need to know when it is best to protect and preserve your portfolio. Successful traders don’t let impatience force them into suboptimal trades that fall outside their strategic plan. Just take the trade I’m seriously going to have a mug or a t-shirt saying. Trade well and just take the trade. When your plan indicates it’s time to trade, you need to overcome your hesitations and execute the trade. Traders must realize that not every trade will result in profit. So you might as well take the trade that lines up when it’s a high probability one. Even the best traders face losses. Even the best trades take losing weeks, months and even quarters! What matters most is your overall performance across many trades. As I always say, it’s not about the 1 trade but the hundreds of trades later. So, when the conditions of your trading plan are met, take the trade, and maintain your risk management strategies to limit potential losses. Keep learning and evolving Financial markets are dynamic and ever-evolving. As a trader, it’s crucial to keep learning and adapting to these changes. Stay updated with market trends, new trading strategies, and changes in regulations. Consider continual education a part of your trading plan. See what other successful traders are doing. See what other strategies they’re adapting to. See what new markets are available and what sectors are outperforming. Learn to earn. This ongoing learning process will keep you on top of your trading game and help you adapt your strategies as markets evolve. Don’t give up No matter what you do, remember. You only lose when you quit. Trading is a long-term game filled with ups and downs. The key is to view these setbacks as learning experiences, not reasons to quit. When faced with losses, successful traders analyze their decisions, identify mistakes, and learn from them. They maintain a positive mindset and understand that perseverance is crucial. Stay focused on your trading plan, refine your strategies, and remain resilient on your path to trading success. By incorporating these six rules into your trading routine, you’ll be well on your way to a profitable and sustainable trading career. Always have a trading plan Don’t procrastinate Be patient Just take the trade Keep learning and evolving Don’t give up
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
Cut out Useless Trading Data - 6 Points There is a curse of knowledge in the world of trading. And it comes a time where a new trader believes the way they can WIN is through… Knowing and applying as much info and data as possible. I’ve been there. In 2008, you should have seen my charts. They looked like Christmas Trees. Cut out the conflicting indicators. Cut out ANYTHING that does not make logical sense. Less is more with trading. Let’s explore some factors that can help you cut out the unnecessary data. Find One or Two Systems Only Trading systems are a collection of rules and parameters that traders use to determine their entry and exit points. With myriad trading systems available, it’s really tempting to dabble in different ones. And as a beginner trader, I understand it’s crucial for you to find yourself and your trading personality. However, once you find what system works for you. Once you find the ones that match your trading style, risk tolerance, and financial goals – Stick to them. Adapt, evolve, improve and optimise your strategy. When you absolutely master your strategy and your focus, you can gain deep expertise in those systems and utilize them more effectively. Minimize the Number of Markets Each market is unique, with its own set of rules, trends, and volatility. If you diversify into too many markets, it can dilute your focus and make it harder to understand the nuances of each market. Instead, find the markets that most definitely work you’re your strategy. Whether it be stocks, indices, Forex, commodities or crypto. Break them up into watchlists and the ones that don’t work with the system, well don’t include them obviously! Choose Only One or Two Time Frames Just as with trading systems and markets, time frames also require careful consideration. Whether you prefer day trading, swing trading, or position trading, it should tell you the time frames you should be focusing on. Select one or two time frames that align with your trading style and stick with them. I like daily for stocks, commodities and crypto. I like 15 minutes for Intraday trading indices and daily for identifying the Daily Bias. By doing so, you’ll avoid the confusion and contradiction that often comes from analysing multiple time frames simultaneously. Cut Out Unnecessary Indicators The year was 2008. I had 5 Moving Averages, 1 Bollinger Band, 1 MACD, 1 RSI, 1 Stochastics, 1 William %R, Volume, and even the ATR (Average True Range). The problem was. These signals were conflicting each other. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to back and forward test a strategy like this? And yes, all the information is at our fingertips. But it can also be the doom of our portfolios. Why? I realised one thing. Indicators, volume, price action etc… Is all based on ONE constant. Historical data. The data and information you see is all based on the past. There are no predictions, no certainties only probabilities. So you need to cut out the unnecessary information. Don’t fall for “analysis paralysis,” where excessive data hampers your decision-making. Choose a few key indicators that provide the most valuable information for your trading strategy. Focus on One or Two Financial Instruments Diversification is a key principle in finance, but it’s possible to overdo it. When I say instruments I mean CFDs, Lots, Spread Betting, Options, Futures etc… You know what a schlepp it is to have different journals for different instruments, trading the same things? Ye… Choose 1 or maybe two instruments (if your one broker doesn’t offer some markets you wish to trade). But there is no benefit in trading a whole bunch of trading instruments at once. Also when you spread your capital too thinly across multiple financial instruments, you’ll find it can complicate your trading strategy, portfolio and risk management. And it will make it difficult to keep track of your investments. Only Have One or Two or Max Three Trading Accounts Managing multiple trading accounts can be a logistical nightmare. Similar to what I mentioned above. It can lead to unneeded complexity in tracking performance, managing tax liabilities, and maintaining a balanced portfolio. Instead, limit your trading accounts to 1, 2 or max 3. This is so you can monitor your trading performance across different markets. For example. Forex is a completely different ball game to stocks (in my opinion). And so, I like to have two different trading accounts for each. Final words. Let’s focus on less rather than more going forward. Cut out unnecessary and useless data when you trade. And remember these point which is what we have covered today… Find One or Two Systems Only Minimize the Number of Markets Choose Only One or Two Time Frames Cut Out Unnecessary Indicators Focus on One or Two Financial Instruments Only Have One or Two or Max Three Trading Accounts
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
Important Trading Terms YOU need to KnowSorry but the truth is… You can’t get away from the trading lingo. There are at least 7 terms you need to deal with a day. But fortunately, they repeat and before you know it – they’re second nature. Let’s start with the most important terms – you’ll face every day as a trader. Symbol – Name of market you want to trade: The symbol represents the unique identifier of a specific financial instrument or market. It is the special name that is given for each market. For example, in the stock market, symbols are typically a combination of letters that represent a particular company’s shares. In the forex market, symbols are currency pairs such as EUR/USD or GBP/JPY. In the commodity market each have their own symbol i.e. Gold = XAU/USD, GCI Go to TradingView head over to Symbol search and start searching and adding to your watch list. Side: Buy (go long) or Sell (go short): The “side” refers to the direction of your trade. Buying (going long) means you believe the price of the instrument will rise, and you aim to profit from the increase. Selling (going short) means you anticipate the price will fall, allowing you to profit from the downward movement. The choice of the side depends on your market analysis and trading strategy. Quantity: No. of CFDs or lots: The quantity represents the number of Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or lots you want to trade. This is all dependent on your risk profile and portfolio size. CFDs allow you to speculate on the price movements of an underlying asset without owning the asset itself. The quantity determines the exposure and potential profit or loss of your trade. It’s important to consider your risk tolerance and account size when determining the appropriate quantity to trade. Order type (Market or limit): The order type specifies how you want your trade to be executed. A market order is executed immediately at the most current market price. This type of order guarantees execution but does not guarantee a specific price. So there might be slippage (where you get in versus where you wanted to get in) which can interfere with your Risk to Reward. A limit order allows you to set a specific price at which you want the trade to be executed. So basically, you LIMIT The price you wish to enter. The order will be executed only if the market reaches or exceeds your specified price. Validity: How long to hold: Validity refers to the duration for which your order remains active. Common options include: GTC: “Good Till Cancelled” where the order remains active until you manually cancel it. FOK: Fill or Kill: This type of order requires immediate execution of the entire order quantity. If the full amount is not executed, it is then cancelled. GTD: “Good Till Date” (GTD), where you can specify a specific date until which the order is valid. MIT: Market if Touched: This order is triggered when the market price reaches a specified level (trigger price). It then becomes a market order and is executed at the best available price. LIT: Limit if Touched: If a Limit if Touched order is triggered when the market price reaches a trigger price. However, it becomes a limit order with a specified limit price and will only be executed at or better than the limit price. Levels: Entry, Stop loss, and Take profit: These levels are essential in managing your risk and potential profits. Entry Level: The price at which you enter the market by opening a trade. Stop Loss Level: A predetermined price level at which your trade will automatically close to limit potential losses if the market moves against you. Take Profit Level: A predetermined price level at which your trade will automatically close if the market moves in your favour. What trading term do you want to know more about and let us know if this was useful!
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
Just Don't Trade When...Just Don’t Do It Trader By now, you know what to do as a trader. I’ve pretty much drilled in your mind. You can hear my voice echo the 4 Ms. But one overlooked thing that’s also important… Are the things not to do. Let’s crack into the 5 things… #1: DON’T fear losing – It’s just the cost of trading Losing trades are an inevitable part of trading. So why fear losses if they are going to come. And it’s not just one or two losses. You’re about to take thousands of losses in your life. But don’t see them as losses. Instead, view them as the cost of doing business in the markets. Every trade carries a level of risk (hence we use stop losses in every trade). And losses are opportunities to learn and refine your strategies (if need be). So make it natural to embrace your losses as a part of the trading process. This way you’ll cut the ego, and take on each trade with a more objective and focussed point. #2: DON’T dwell on past failures – You are only as good as your last trade While it is essential to learn from past mistakes. If you dwell on them, they will excessively hinder your hard worked progress. Trading is an ever-evolving journey, and each trade presents a new opportunity. Instead of fixating on past failures, blown accounts, big drawdowns and times you just F*ed up with your trading system and mentality… Rather focus on the present and future. There is only NOW and what is to COME. So apply the past time lessons and focus on improving your decision-making performance in the next trade. You are only as good as your last trade. #3: DON’T expect fast riches – This is a slow and gradual process Trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme. If you expect to make it big in the first three years, I have news for you. Unless you already have a million rand portfolio to grow and bank from, this is going to take take. Cut out these unrealistic expectations because it’s going to be an emotional ride with excessive risk-taking. Instead, adopt a long-term perspective, set realistic goals and understand that trading success is a gradual process. Let the power of compounding work in your favour over time. #4: DON’T compare yourself to others – Your personality & risk profile shape you Each trader is unique. You are unique. Therefore, you have different risk tolerance levels, trading styles, and market perspectives. If you compare yourself to others, you’re going to feel inadequate and you’re going to enter into temptation on imitating their portfolios. It is essential to embrace your own strengths and weaknesses as a trader. Understand your personality, risk profile, and trading preferences, and align your strategies accordingly. Find what works for you and develop a personalized approach that suits your individual needs and goals. Trading is a self-learning journey that takes time and effort to master. #5: DON’T give up – You only lose when you quit! Persistence is key in trading. It is natural to face challenges and setbacks along the way. But the only time you truly lose is when you give up. Stay committed, maintain a positive mindset, and keep pushing forward. You still being in the game is what will differentiate you between failure and success. So let’s conclude what you must NOT do… #1: DON’T fear losing – It’s just the cost of trading #2: DON’T dwell on past failures – You are only as good as your last trade #3: DON’T expect fast riches – This is a slow and gradual process #4: DON’T compare yourself to others – Your personality & risk profile shape you #5: DON’T give up – You only lose when you quit! Just don’t do it, trader!
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
1
Revenge Trading is Lethal - 5 Reasons Why!Do you feel it in your bones. Where do you want to: Take trades to make up for losses? Take trades for the sake of trading? Take trades out of emotions and gut (gat feel)? Take trades to make a quick buck? If so, you have felt the power and dangers of Revenge Trading. TO put it blunt. Revenge trading is detrimental, dangerous and just plain stupid for any traders to succumb to. I feel like I can finish the article already as I have said what I needed to. Not just yet! You need to understand why Revenge Trading is to your downfall. Let’s start with these: #1: Impulsive decisions are dangerous In the heat of the moment, you just want to take an impulsive trade. This can lead to disastrous outcomes. Revenge trading happens when you want to try recoup losses quickly. And so traders abandon their strategies, systems and rules. And they take on unwarranted risks. This will stop you from making good, calculated, logical and well-informed decisions based on sound reasoning and market research. Don’t do it! #2: Trading on emotions is deadly Emotions such as fear, greed, and frustration have no place in trading. Revenge trading is fueled by these emotions. And this causes traders to deviate and steer way from their plans by instead acting irrationally. What then? Bigger losses, unnecessary risks to the portfolio and skewed results on your trackrecord. Your hard earned and timely worked on journal! Is it worth it? I think not. Cut out your emotions and work at being calm and take on the more logical approach, devoid of emotional interference. #3: Violating trading rules is damaging Every trader should have a set of well-defined trading rules in place. Not just rules but also a list of criteria. Revenge trading typically involves disregarding these rules and just going against everything you should do. Basically, what the average dumb retail trader does which results in 98% of traders losing in this financial endeavour. Violate your rules and there will be severe consequences. Loss of confidence. Bigger losses More losses Erratic wins (which make you want to do it again and again and again) Not worth it. Don’t do it. #4: Too much unnecessary risk You know you’re using your hard earned cash to trade and build a portfolio right? So why are you burning it and cutting it up like it’s nothing? This reckless behavior can lead to bigger drawdowns and can even wipe out trading accounts entirely. Don’t do it! #5: Creates an ongoing cycle of doing it again Great! Once you have violated your rules, gone against your strategy and pretty much gone ape or rogue on trading – it takes a lot to gain ones integrity and discipline back. One of the most dangerous aspects of revenge trading is its cyclical nature. Break the rule, you’ll break it again. Cheat, you’ll cheat again. Enter a gambling mentality and you’re in trouble. Bank a winning rogue trade and you’ll succumb to the trading world of discretionary action. However, if these subsequent trades result in further losses, the cycle repeats, trapping traders in a never-ending loop of revenge trading. Breaking free from this destructive pattern will then need a ton of discipline, self-awareness, and a commitment to sticking to one’s trading plan. So please be careful. Trade well! Don’t trade like gambler. Avoid the perils of revenge trading by all means, starting from today. And when you feel the need to do it (like a junkie), come back and read this article. Had to be said.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
5 DANGERS of Trading Penny StocksJust so you know. I believe if you’re following a world renown and successful Penny Share expert, you’re in good hands. They are able to spot low risk investments and guide you through the process of owning great Penny Stocks. But as a trader , who only looks at charts – THIS IS DANGEROUS TERRITORY. Remember, Penny Shares are high risk, high volatile, low credible companies that are LOW prices i.e. Under $1.00. And so, I just want to write as a trader point of view five key reasons why penny stocks can be dangerous to traders. DANGER #1: High Volatility (Jumpiness) Penny stocks are notorious for their high volatility. These stocks tend to experience rapid and drastic price fluctuations, often without apparent reasons. I’m talking about companies that can jump 10%, 30% and even 70% in a day. The lack of stability and price predictability can make it very difficult for traders to make informed decisions. Sudden price jumps or drops can result in significant gains or losses within a short period, amplifying the risk factor. And if you place your stop loss within a tight range, there’s a bigger chance you’ll get stopped out. DANGER #2: Low Liquidity (Less Volume) Think of Liquidity like the flow of water. It tells you the ease of being able to BUY or SELL a market, without impacting too much of the price. Once again, we look for low to medium volatility. Penny stocks typically have low liquidity due to limited trading volume. With fewer buyers and sellers in the market, it can be difficult to execute trades at the prices you want. And this leads to slippage and even higher transaction costs. Also, low liquidity may also prevent you from even entering or exiting your positions quickly. And this can even TRAP you in an unfavourable market environment for an extended period of time. DANGER #3: Not Established Businesses Penny stocks are often associated with small, early-stage companies that are not yet established in their respective industries. These companies may lack a proven track record, have limited financial history, and face various operational and market risks. So if you want to invest in these type of companies as a trader, it’s better you do it with fundamentals, research, business models and future prospects. If you do it purely on speculative purposes, this could be very risky for your portfolio. DANGER #4: More Likely to Head to Zero Yes all trading requires levels and degrees of risk and rewards. But it is not worth it, if some petty company is doing really badly and is showing signs of going to 0.00. Penny stocks are more susceptible to declining in value and potentially heading towards zero. I mean, South Africa has witnessed instances where penny stocks have experienced substantial losses, which took out a ton of investors. For example, companies like African Bank Investments Ltd (ABIL) and Oakbay Resources and Energy Limited serve as cautionary tales, where investors lost huge amounts as these companies approached or reached bankruptcy. Talking about bankruptcy. DANGER #5: High Chance of Bankruptcy and Liquidations Penny stocks are also more likely to go bankrupt or get liquidated compared to a Blue-chip stock. This is because of the nature of the companies, the inexperience, the lack of funds and structure, as well as its credibility. Financial instability, mismanagement, or unfavourable market conditions can lead to the collapse of these businesses. We saw this also in South Africa with the liquidation of Sharemax Investments and the bankruptcy of Pamodzi Gold Limited. This lead investors with little to no value for their investments. So remember this as a traders We want low volatility, high liquidity (volume), credible companies with great reputations, track record and credibility. And we want attractive charts that work with our trading strategies. If you want to be a savvy Penny Share investor that's fine. But as a trader, I have given my precautions.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
Optimal Guide to Action Trades BetterThere are only a few decisions you need to make as a trader. When you actually need to press buttons to action trades. To enter, to adjust and to exit. It’s crucial for you to know when is the right time to do so. You need to consider certain factors and criteria to enhance the chance of profitability. And at the same time to mitigate risks. So here are four optimal actions you’ll need to take. When the Trading Signals Line Up – ACTION! This one is a given. When your trading system, strategy and signal all align. This refers to the convergence of multiple indicators or technical analysis tools, such as breakout patterns, Smart Money Concepts, moving averages, trend lines, or oscillators. When these signals confirm each other, it presents a higher probability trade setup. You need to wait for the confirmation though and the go ahead. This way, you’ll gain the competitive edge for when to enter and to avoid premature trades. Adjust the Stop Loss or Take Profit Levels – ACTION! During a trade, it is essential to monitor the market closely and be ready to adjust the stop loss or take profit levels (according to your strategy). This should NOT be guess work. This should be calculated on probabilities and in a way that you can optimise the strategy in a mechanical fashion. The stop loss is a predetermined level that limits the potential loss on a trade. While the take profit is a predefined level at which a trader intends to exit the trade with a profit. As the market evolves, price action and new information may necessitate revising these levels to protect profits or minimize losses. Which we often do as traders to increase the win rate and lock in potential and minimal profits. Traders should remain flexible and make timely adjustments to ensure their trade is aligned with the prevailing market conditions. When the Time Stop Loss Hits – ACTION! In certain trading scenarios, there may be a need to exit a trade before it becomes a long-term investment. This is particularly relevant in markets where overnight positions incur daily interest charges, such as in some derivative or forex markets. Traders must set a predetermined time stop loss i.e. 7 weeks holding a trade. You don’t want to incur too many interest charges. You don’t want to MARRY a trade. You don’t want to have capital tied up in stock during nonperforming trades. This is an opportunity cost where you can choose better trades to line up. If this time stop loss is reached, it is prudent to exit the trade (no matter what time of day it is), even if it is still within the specified stop loss or take profit levels. Either you’ll take a less than desired profit or less than expected loss. By adhering to the time stop loss, traders can avoid accumulating excessive interest charges and maintain your trading strategy’s integrity. When a Freak Anomaly Spooks the Market, like a Black Swan – ACTION! In rare instances, unforeseen events or anomalies, often referred to as Black Swan events, can greatly disrupt financial markets. These events are characterized by their unpredictability and magnitude, causing extreme market volatility. Normally when a market or index moves 10 times the standard deviation of it’s normal move. When such anomalies occur, it is crucial to act swiftly and exit the trade. Trying to ride out these events can lead to substantial losses. By recognizing the abnormality and promptly exiting the trade, traders protect their capital and avoid unnecessary risks associated with highly volatile market conditions. That’s it. A few but powerful times you need to take action to lock in, protect, manage, bank and call it quits. Master this and you’ll make better and well-timed decisions and adapt your positions to changing market conditions.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
4
5 QUESTIONS Before you Take your TradeWith each trade you take… There are these 5 standard questions you’ll need to ask an answer. Jot these down and have them ready… Do I Have a Trade Lined Up? When you go through your watchlist. You need to see any opportunities in the market that align with your trading strategy. These should stick out like a sore thumb. If it’s not, then it’s probably not a high probability trade. It’s important to analyze the market trends and indicators to identify potential trades. This will help you to make informed decisions and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Do I Have a Trading Strategy? Once you have identified a potential trade, it’s important to have a solid trading strategy in place. Your strategy should outline the rules for entering and exiting trades, as well as risk management guidelines. Follow your strategy and avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions or market rumors. Where Should I Place My Trading Levels? You got the strategy so now you have to set up your trading levels. (Entry, Stop loss, Ghost level, Take profit levels) Are you using Order Blocks, key support and resistance levels, patterns, indicators or trend lines? Whatever you use, keep consistent to determine where to place your trading levels. This will help you to choose your trading levels based on the R:R for each trade. How Much Am I Trading? Trade size is crucial. You need your calculator to work out your risk per trade. This will help you to manage your risk effectively and avoid making emotional decisions. Your risk management plan should outline the maximum amount you are willing to lose on any given trade, as well as the maximum percentage of your trading account you are willing to risk. What Is My Exit Strategy? exit strategy should outline the conditions under which you will exit a trade. So you’ll know where to cut your small losses, ride your winners, lock in profits, or even adjust your take profit levels when the markets move well in your favour. Also, make sure you stick to your exit strategy and avoid making emotional decisions based on market fluctuations. THEN YOU’RE READY TO EXECUTE! Once you have gone through the five questions… It’s time to ask yourself whether you are truly ready to take the trade. Focus your mind, clear the distractions, confirm everything is ready to go… That takes emotional discipline. You got the questions, now go start asking and answering them with your trading…
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
When you’ve taken a trade – Let It Go!One of the key principles of successful trading is… Once you have taken the trade to just let it go and allow it to run its course. The system lined up – tick. The entry orders are all in place – tick. It matches your risk and reward criteria – tick. You know your trade size – tick. Now let it go. You may get the urge to interfere, change the levels and lock in profits early or limit losses even more. You need to resist the urge. Here are some factors to consider… Don’t Interfere… When you’ve taken a trade, it’s important to have a plan in place for how you will manage it. This means you’ve got your entry, stop loss and take profit in place. These actions may seem like a good idea at the time. But they can often lead to bigger losses, smaller profits and even missed opportunities. But then there are times where you need to adjust the course. You might even have a time stop loss. Or a strategic and mechanical criteria for when to adjust your levels. But other than that, you need to have the discipline to stick to it and resist the temptation to interfere with your trades. Don’t Get Excited When It’s in the Money One of the most common mistakes that traders make is getting too excited when they’re in the money. You might feel overconfident and “know-better” about a trade. Or you might have this irrational decision-making idea to quickly move your stops and take profits, which can quickly erase any gains that you’ve made. It’s essential to remain level-headed and stick to your plan, even when your trades are performing well. To avoid getting too excited when you’re in the money, go back to your journal and look at how your trades have played in the past. It’s important to have a clear idea of your risk tolerance and profit targets before you enter a trade. This will stop you from making any quick and unnecessary decisions along the way. Don’t Fear When It’s Going Against You Another common mistake that traders make is letting fear dictate their decisions when a trade is going against them. It’s natural to feel anxious when you’re losing money. But it’s important to remember that losses are a normal part of trading. We all take them and we are all bound to take them more times than we wish to think. To overcome the fear of losses, it’s important to focus on the long-term goals of your trading strategy. One way to do this is to maintain a positive mindset and view losses as “costs of business” and as learning opportunities rather than failures. Stay calm and level headed. Also stop risking so much that it interferes with your psychology. When you feel emotional take a step back or it could lead to even bigger losses. Don’t Watch Every Tick Finally, it’s important to resist the urge to obsessively watch every tick of the market. This can lead to overtrading and emotional decision-making. And you’ll find it will quickly derail your trading strategy. Instead, it’s important to focus on the big picture and have a long-term perspective on your trades. Close your computer once you’ve taken a trade. Or close your trading platform and move onto something else. You’ve done your job now stop watching every tick the market moves. By doing so, you’ll be less likely to make rash decisions based on short-term fluctuations in the market. I hope this helps and if there is one thing to remember out of them all. When you’ve taken a trade, just let it go and let it run its course.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
1
Gym Well - Trade Well!When you gym well, it’s like trading well. You gym to tone, to lose weight to build muscle and to build discipline. With trading you trade to build your portfolio, build confidence, create a secured financial future and work on your mindset for life. Both pursuits require consistent effort, perseverance, and a strategic approach. Gym is an important element in my life and so I want to explore the similarities between trading and gymming, and how each can lead to success in their respective domains. You Put in the Work Every Day: Gymming and Trading Like a regular gym routine, successful trading requires dedication and consistency. You can’t expect to see results overnight – you need to put in the work every day. As a trader you must constantly educate yourself on market trends, stay informed about global events, and analyze past performance to make informed decisions. Just as gym-goers must adhere to their workout schedules, traders should establish a daily routine that involves researching and analyzing the market. You Pick Up the Portfolio (Weights) as You Make More Money When you gym, you gradually increase the weights you’re lifting to build strength and endurance. Similarly, as you become more experienced and successful in trading, you can gradually increase your investment portfolio. As your confidence and financial gains grow, you may choose to diversify your portfolio and take on a variety of different assets to spread risk, lower risk, optimise and maximize your returns. Don’t Overtrain – Don’t Overtrade Overtraining at the gym can lead to injury and burnout. And if you over trade in the market, it can result in financial losses and emotional exhaustion. It’s essential to strike a balance between staying active and giving yourself time to rest and recover. In trading, this might mean you: Set your limits on the number of trades you make each day or week Identify the goldilocks zone risk per trade Know when to hault trading or lower risks during a drawdown period. And most importantly. Remember, trading is a marathon, not a sprint. So pace yourself accordingly which is crucial to long-term success. It’s a Forever Process (Takes Time) Both gymming and trading are long-term commitments. You won’t see immediate results in either pursuit. It takes time and dedication to achieve your goals and to identify your trading risk and personality. In the gym, you can expect to see gradual improvements in your strength, endurance, and overall fitness. In trading, you’ll gain experience, knowledge, and a more refined strategy as time goes on. So stay dedicated, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals. Let me know if you gym and if it helps your trading :)
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
2